Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 23400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Fuck. Is Mariah coming out?
Every bad scenario spun in my head. Fear crashed into me, drenching my soul, scouring the flesh from my bones. The terror was so powerful and all-encompassing that I rose.
Do something. Now!
I yelled, “Savio! I’m right here buddy.”
Dog got to my side. “What are you doing?”
“Getting him away from the hallway.”
Savio didn’t respond.
Instead, a blazing barrage of gunfire ensued.
Bright light flashed in the hallway.
No! Did they shoot her?
I ran forward.
Dog grabbed me. “Hold on!”
“They might have her.” I shoved him away and continued forward.
Please, be okay, Mariah.
She screamed.
More gunfire burst.
Then, a body loudly fell to the floor, and everything went silent.
No. No.
I got to the hallway, unable to see anything.
My throat tightened in fear.
My mind twitched and spiraled.
Instantly, my foot hit a body.
Who is this?
Shaking, I slowly lowered.
What if. . .it’s. . .her?
A burning void erupted under my heart, sending flaming points of pain shooting through my veins. My guts rolled with nausea. My muscles twitched with repulsive anguish. My head swelled with a crushing pressure that blocked out all peripheral sound.
If it is her. . .I will kill everyone. . .in this world. . .
A storm brewed inside of me that raged with violent vengeance until it burst through my eyes in an almost feral hate.
Then, the lights came on.
What?
The hallway illuminated.
Savio’s corpse slumped against the blood-drenched wall.
The body that I was lowering to belonged to one of his men.
Not her. Thank God.
I looked further.
Trembling, Mariah crouched on the floor with one of my guns pointed at me.
“Mariah!” I dropped my AK-47 and ran to her.
“Oh my God.” She rose and lowered the hand holding the gun.
“Goddamn it!” Fast, I had her in my arms. “I thought I lost you.”
“Me?”
“Yes!”
“I was scared to lose you.”
“Goddamn it!” I leaned away and glared. “I told you to stay in the dungeon.”
“You did.” She gave me a weak smile. “But, I’m no damsel in distress. I wanted to help.”
I widened my eyes in madness. “Do you have any idea what I would have done to this city if something had happened to you?”
She blinked. “What?”
“Destroyed every fucking inch. That means every building in flames. Every living thing dead—humans, dogs, whatever. Everything would have been gone. This city would have been nothing but ashes and brittle bones.”
“What?” She stiffened in my hold. “Then, I’m glad it all worked out.”
Dog chuckled behind us.
Chapter 11
Twelve Explosive Orgasms
Mariah
The twelfth day with Gabriel was Christmas Eve.
We lay naked in a massive four poster king bed in a two-level luxury suite. The whole space was filled with lush furniture, rich and comforting.
Gabriel pulled the sheets over us and wrapped me in his arms. His body was strong and hard, muscles rippled with every movement. I felt safe, warm, and protected.
I was now completely and utterly obsessed with Gabriel. My appetite for him had increased exponentially over this week. The hunger grew stronger for him every day. An even more powerful connection had been made, one that went far beyond the physical.
Gabriel caressed my skin, running his big hands over my body. “What are you thinking about?”
“You.”
“What about me?” He kissed my neck.
“I’m thinking about what it feels like to be with you.” I seductively traced the curve of his jaw with my index finger. “I’m thinking about how amazing you make me feel, and how insane these past twelve days have been.”
“And have you realized that you are mine forever?”
“That’s so intense.”
“Damn right it is.”
I ran my fingers through his hair. “Yes, Gabriel.”
He quirked his brows. “Yes?”
“Yes. I know that I’m yours. . .forever.”
A silly grin hit his face. It was so odd since usually he only exuded danger and terror.
“Do you know how happy you’re making me?” He kissed my forehead and then brushed his lips against my ears. “Do you know how much you’ve made my life better?”
“I can say the same thing to you.”
“Yes?”
I grinned. “Hell yes.”
“So, we should discuss a new proposition I have for you.”
“A new one?”
“Yes.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Does this involve whips?”
“Not this time.” He chuckled. “Now that Savio and his good-for-nothing dad is gone, we’ll need someone to operate the brothel.”
“Me?”
“If you want it. Honestly, Dog was hoping to take on the job.”
I laughed. “I bet he was.”
“Do you want it?”
“Yes. It could be fun being the boss.”
“Dog will be your assistant. I don’t want any of the clients thinking that you are on the menu.” He lowered his face and kissed my shoulder. “Also, I decided to host a small Christmas dinner tomorrow.”
Shock hit me. “You?”
He frowned. “Dog had a similar reaction.”
“Of course he did. You are the biggest scrooge I know.”
“How is that?”
“Gabriel, you killed my boss next to a Christmas tree. If I remember correctly, the star that went on top of the tree was embedded in his head.”
Gabriel formed his lips into a huge smile. “One of my favorite kills.”